Ball-cock



(No Model.)

H. 0. WEEDEN.

BALL COOK.

Patented Aug. 31, 1886.

/emww o/m c /p/ww UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY C. \VEEDEN, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BALL-COCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 348,364, dated August 31,1886.

Application filed April 7, 1886. Serial No. 198,103.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, HENRY G. WEEDEN, of Boston, in the eountyof Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, a citizen of the United States, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Ball-Cocks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the contrivances variously known as ball-cocks, ball-valves,

the following essential elements, viz: a valve for opening and closing a water-supply passage, a float mounted upon the end of a pivoted lever and rising and falling with the water in the cistern, and interposed mechanism whereby the motion of this float-lever thus obtained has been utilized to open and close the valve. In some forms of the apparatus a sliding valve has been used to open and close the water-passage, while in others a turning valve, like that of an ordinary faucet, has been employed; but in each case the turning or sliding of the valve to open or close the passage has been brought about by the rising or falling of the float lever, this latter motion being transmitted to the valve by suitable interposed mechanism.

When ball-cocks of the character above described are set up in cisterns, it frequently happens that some fixed part of the cistcrnas, for example, the overllow-pipe-stands in the way of the float or its lever. To obviate this difficulty, it has hereto fore been the custom to make the lever of a somewhat flexible mate rialas, for example, a brass rodwhich the plumber bends, when the ball-cock is set up, sufficiently to carry the float or lever clear of the obstruction. This method of obviating the difficultyis, however, undesirable, because the offsetting of the lever and ball-cock in this way frequently tends to produce a cramp or bind at the pivot of the lever,which interferes (No model.)

with the perfect working of the apparatus. It has also been attempted to remedy this defeet by pivoting and guiding the lever in an open cup surrounding the mouth of the watersupply pipe; but this construction is objectionable, becauseit brings the leverand connected parts across the face of the outlet-pipe, there by interfering with the discharge of water.

The first part of my present invention has for its object to provide the float-lever not only with a pivot enabling it to have its necessary vertical motion with the rise and fall of the water, but also to so attach it that it shall be capable of being shifted radially in the plane of the surface of the water in the tank, so that it may operate clear of the outlet-pipe or other obstruction to be avoided.

Furthermore,in that type of apparatus above described in which a sliding valve has been used it has been customary to connect that valve with the lever by means of a constant connection, so that the motion of the float-lever at all times controls the motion of the valve. This construction is undesirable, because it frequently happens that the lever moves slowly, and thus retards the opening of the valve, which, if not so held back by the float-lever, would open promptly to its fullest capacity. By my present invention I have so connecetd the lever and slide-valve that the motion of the latter in opening shall not be controlled by the rate of fall of the float-lever, but that a comparatively slight fall of the float-lever shall leave the valve free to open to its full capacity under the pressure of the water. By my present invention I have furthermore introduced certain minor structural advantages, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

In the accompanying drawings I have rep resented a ball-cock embodying my present invention in the form new best known to me.

Figure 1 represents a sectional view of an apparatus embodying my present invention; and Fig. 2, an enlarged view, in perspective, of a detail thereof, as will be hereinafter explained.

In the drawings, A represents the watersupply inlet, and 13 the outlet to the tank. 0

is the valve by which the water-supply is opened or closed, the stem 0 of this valve working in a suitable guide, D, as shown. The stem may be packed within this guide, if desired; but as this produces unnecessary friction I prefer to make the valve double-faced,

' and to provide a second seat, 0 around the entrance to the guide, whereby this will be closed by the back side of the valve 0 being pressed against this seat G by the pressure of the water when flowing into the tank.

E represents the float, and E the float-lever, which is of ordinary construction, but, prefer.- ably not of flexible material. This lever is pivoted, as shown at E, to allow for the necessary vertical movement of the float with the rise and fall of the water in the tank.

ing loosely around the post E", adapted to be adjusted radially in the plane of the water of the tank, so as thereby to avoid interference with the outlet-pipe or other obstacle. When adjusted to the desired position, it may be clamped in place, by the nut E, if desired.

Connected with the float-lever E is an abutment, F, which,when the water has risen to the maximum desired height in, the tank, is pressed against the end of the valve-stem, thereby forcing the valve against and closing the mouth of the inlet A,to shut off the watersupply from the tank. When, however, the

float-lever falls by reason of the subsidence of the water in the tank,this abutment F is drawn out of the way of the valve-stem, so that the valve is left free to be opened under the pressure of the water-supply.

Inasmuch as considerable radial adjustment It is furthermore, by means of the strap E turnof the float-lever may be required, as above explained, it' is desirable to make this abutmentF of considerable width, so as always to be capable of having a good bearing against the valve-stem.

It is obvious the mechanical details of structures embodying my invention may be considerably modified to meet the requirements of different specific forms of construction, while at the same time the benefits and advantages of my improvements, as hereinabove set forth, may be preserved.

I claim- In a ball-cock, the combination of the waterinlet A, water-outlet B, sliding double-faced valve 0. C, the circular guide D, )rovided with a packing, O". at its inner face, the ball E, lever E, strap E said lever being pivoted to the said strap, the post E", around which said strap is free to turn, the said post extend- 

